The New Jersey Nets will continue their uphill battle towards a playoff spot when they take on the Chicago Bulls Thursday night at the Prudential Center in Newark. While the Nets have won five games in a row, the Bulls win streak has now reached seven.
Thanks to their longest winning streak in over three years, New Jersey is now just four back in the loss column behind the Indiana Pacers for the eighth and final playoff spot. Last time out the Nets beat the Boston Celtics 88-79 Monday night. Brook Lopez paced New Jersey with 20 points, while Deron Williams had 16 points and nine assists.
The Nets victory over the Celtics helped open the door for the Bulls to pull even atop the Eastern Conference with Boston. Chicago's latest victory was Tuesday night at home over the Washington Wizards 98-79. Derrick Rose scored 23 points to lead the Bulls with Luol Deng adding 20 to help Chicago overcome playing without Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah due to injuries.
All five of the Nets wins have come as the home team (the first two were in London) and the Bulls have only won once in 17 trips to New Jersey.
After they take on Chicago, New Jersey will play five of their next six on the road including a Friday night matchup with the Bucks in Milwaukee.